Alleged Bitcoin Ransom Deepens Nancy Guthrie Abduction

The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mom of Right this moment present co-host Savannah Guthrie, has taken a dramatic flip after what seems to be a bitcoin ransom demand surfaced amid a widespread and intensifying investigation into her potential kidnapping.

Late Tuesday, leisure information website TMZ reported it had acquired an alleged ransom be aware demanding a particular, substantial cost in Bitcoin — reportedly within the tens of millions — in alternate for Guthrie’s protected return. 

The be aware included a deadline for cost and a menace of hurt if the demand was not met, and was despatched with a Bitcoin pockets handle that TMZ verified as an actual on-chain account. 

The alleged ransom be aware additionally referenced particular particulars about Nancy Guthrie’s clothes and harm to her Tucson-area dwelling.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed legislation enforcement is conscious of stories about potential ransom notes circulating within the investigation, however emphasised that the authenticity of those notes has not been verified. 

Authorities careworn that they’re taking all ideas and leads significantly and are coordinating with the FBI on the case.

The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation

Nancy Guthrie was reported lacking on February 1, after failing to point out up at church in her Catalina Foothills neighborhood. 

Authorities consider she was taken from her dwelling someday late Saturday night time or early Sunday morning. Proof collected on the scene has raised critical issues: indicators of pressured entry, a blood path outdoors the house, and private results left behind counsel foul play fairly than a voluntary disappearance.

Sheriff Nanos, whereas declining to reveal the variety of potential suspects or additional particulars in regards to the investigation, has mentioned that the absence of life-sustaining medicine and Guthrie’s restricted mobility make her protected return a precedence.

 The FBI is helping native authorities, and investigators are interviewing pals, neighbors, and relations as a part of a broad search effort.

Guthrie’s daughter, Savannah, has taken a right away go away from Right this moment present duties and canceled scheduled appearances, together with journey for the 2026 Winter Olympics broadcast, to deal with her household’s search. 

Regardless of the viral nature of the ransom demand, legislation enforcement sources have been cautious: no official affirmation has been made that the ransom be aware got here from the precise kidnappers. 

Some investigators and analysts have famous that opportunistic hoaxes can happen in high-profile circumstances, and that media retailers receiving such notes ought to deal with them skeptically till corroborated by police.